Miller Brands, the UK-based subsidiary of SABMiller, has reported lager volume growth of 4% in the 12 months ended 31 March 2013, as against the volumes reported during the same period last year.

The increase in volume growth of lager was despite overall decline of 5.1% in the UK beer market during the year.

The growth of Miller Brands’ was primarily due to continuous focus on imported lagers, including Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Miller Genuine Draft, St Stefanus, Lech and Tyskie.

Among different international brands, Pilsner Urquell from Czech Republic reported strongest growth with 10% increase in volume during the year.

Brewed in Pilzen, near Czech Republic capital Prague, Pilsner Urquell is the first and oldest pilsner lager, claims the company.

The company had carried out a campaign based around Pilsner Urquell with an aim to grow the brand in the UK, just like the Peroni Nastro Azzurro.

Miller Brands managing director Gary Haigh said beer drinkers in the UK have the luxury of thousands of brands to choose from and hundreds of thousands of pubs, bars and restaurants in which to enjoy them.

"To stand out in a noisy market, we must respond to consumers’ demands as they are increasingly looking for brands with a story, heritage and interesting provenance," Haigh added.

"Each of the beers we import to the UK has these qualities in abundance but as the original pilsner, none more so than Pilsner Urquell."